Nationwide axes branches and jobs

The Nationwide is to close 13 branches after deciding that they are no longer profitable.

Britain's biggest building society, which owns the Dunfermline after rescuing the Scottish mutual in 2009, said the branches, all in the south of England, would shut by the end of May. The closures, affecting 100 staff, follow Nationwide's decision late last year to shut down all of its 150 agencies operated by third parties such as solicitors and estate agents.